URBANA, Ill. — They are friends, neighbors, family members, or someone we run into at local community events. More than 5,000 of these individuals are University of Illinois Extension volunteers.
These volunteers make a difference in their communities daily by supporting Illinois Extension’s mission of extending knowledge through partnership, lifelong learning, and lifelong impact. Sharing their passions through volunteering finds them alongside programs for community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnership, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence.
In 2024, volunteers contributed $15,735,213 in value back to their communities. Without their dedication and time, Extension could not have reached over 730 communities and over 800,000 program attendees statewide, from Jo Daviess to Alexander counties.
“When visiting an Extension office, there is a high probability of running into a volunteer or five on any given day,” says Sheila Powers, volunteer relations associate with Illinois Extension. “Whether they are there working help desk hours for the Master Gardener program or meeting with Extension staff to plan future events, they always have a great story to share.”
While the numbers show impact, it is the individual stories and relationships that are worth a lifetime. Alongside Extension, volunteers thrive through values including collaboration, credibility, inclusivity, and learning.
Without each and every volunteer throughout Illinois Extension’s 111-year history, the organization could not be available to individuals in every county throughout the state. Extension impacts people’s daily lives, and volunteers continue to help drive the change.
To all of those who are Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Illinois 4-H leaders, Money Mentors, and anyone who participates in Extension’s volunteer programs, thank you.
Take a moment to thank those who positively impact communities and learn more about Illinois Extension’s volunteer programs at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionVolunteers. For questions, contact Extension at extension@illinois.edu.
SOURCE: Sheila Powers, volunteer relations associate, Illinois Extension
WRITER: Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.